New Zealand

The EU's foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, right, is greeted by Vietnam's Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc in Hanoi on Aug, 5. (Photo from Vietnam government's press release)
Opinion

EU should expand maritime activity in Southeast Asia as China looms

New defense pact with Vietnam foreshadows bigger role in global security

9 August 2019
Reserve Bank of India led by Gov. Shaktikanta Das cut the policy rate to boost Indian economy.
Economy

Rate cut spreads in Asia, but currency risks loom

India, Thailand and New Zealand surprise analysts with bigger-than-expected moves

8 August 2019
The yen's rise reduces the odds Japan Inc. will fatten paychecks. (Photo by Kai Fujii)
Opinion

Japan and South Korea will be biggest losers in US-China currency war

ASEAN countries will also be collateral damage as demand falls and exports are hit

8 August 2019
New Zealand Finance Minister Grant Robertson said his country needs to diversify its trading partners. (Photo by Fumi Matsumoto)
Interview

New Zealand looks beyond China to survive trade war: minister

Wellington 'not immune' to conflict as it braces for slow growth

7 August 2019
Huawei has signed a new two year contract to continue its major sponsorship with the National Rugby League club Canberra Raiders in June: the company has doubled its marketing budget in Australia this year.
Opinion

Australians endorse Huawei ban as part of hard line on China

Canberra risks standing alone after Trump flip-flopped and neighbors caved

2 August 2019
Gambling junkets from China to Crown Resorts casinos have drawn media and law enforcement scrutiny in Australia.
International relations

Xi cousin embroiled in Australian casino money laundering probe

Ming Chai frequented resorts that arranged fast-tracked visas for high rollers

2 August 2019
Brent Kerehona receiving new moko during the live demonstrations for the Maori Markings: Ta Moko exhibition opening day 2019
Tea Leaves

Maori Australian revives in-your-face cultural identity

Traditional body art is making a comeback among Polynesian immigrants

31 July 2019
American pork exports to Japan are down as Tokyo slashes tariffs of imports from other countries. (Photo by Takaki Kashiwabara)
International relations

US loses out as Japan cuts meat and wine duties for others

TPP members and EU reap benefits of rising consumer demand

31 July 2019
Women fetch water from an opening made by residents at a dried-up lake in Chennai, India on June 11.
Economy

Droughts hit Thailand and India, risking stress on food supplies

Rice producers see further export cut; Australia scrambles to import wheat

29 July 2019
Lynas' rare earth mine at Mount Weld, Western Australia: These minerals are not as rare as advertised, but China has a near monopoly on processing and refining them. 
Commodities

US and Australia team up against China's dominance in rare earths

Japan also joins bid to lessen Beijing's ability to wield minerals in disputes

28 July 2019
Commercial properties line the western side of Sydney's central business district.
Business deals

Malaysia's EPF invests $70m in Australian health care real estate

Pension fund taps new markets to weather global uncertainties

23 July 2019
At A$10 for a 300-gram package, Sunfed's Chicken Free Chicken sells for considerably more than actual chicken. (Photo by Geoff Hiscock)
Startups

Mock meat makers set their sights on Australia

New Zealand's Sunfed Meats woos poultry-lovers with Chicken Free Chicken

21 July 2019
Asahi produces Super Dry, while Carlton is best known as the brewer of Victoria Bitter. (Source photos by Jiji)
Business deals

Asahi to buy AB InBev's Australian unit in $11.3bn deal

Japanese brewer hopes Victoria Bitter maker Carlton offsets shrinking home market

19 July 2019
A Fortescue Metals Group worker checks a truck loaded with iron ore. Deliveries by the mining company may have decreased by 3%.
Energy

Australia's iron ore output heads for first downturn in 20 years

Nation's economy relies heavily on mining exports to a weakening China

18 July 2019
Malaysia has banned import of plastic scrap but the ruling has been poorly enforced and monitored.
Opinion

How to end Asia's plastic waste war

Trade bans in Southeast Asia risk shifting problem to South Asia and Africa

17 July 2019
San Francisco's SFERS pension fund has made several commitments to Asia-focused vehicles. 
Business deals

San Francisco pension fund commits $50m to PAG fund

Asia-focused vehicle to invest in markets including China and Southeast Asia

10 July 2019
Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, center, poses with the leaders of Pacific island countries in a photo session during their meeting in Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture, in May 2018.
International relations

Japan, US and Australia push back on China's South Pacific expansion

Tokyo advocates 'free and open Indo-Pacific' and promises economic aid

3 July 2019
The Solomon Islands has become the principal target in the region of Beijing's diplomatic effort to win away Taiwan's remaining allies. (Reuters/AP)
Interview

Solomon Islands PM 'aware' of risks of Chinese debt

Government still considering merit of switching ties from Taipei to Beijing

26 June 2019
The national flag of Papua New Guinea flies in front of boats berthed in Port Moresby. China's Huawei has won a bid to build the country's telecommunications network.
International relations

Japan, US and Australia begin own 'Belt and Road' in South Pacific

Three countries plan $1bn loan for LNG project in Papua New Guinea

25 June 2019
BHP chief executive Andrew Mackenzie discusses Chinese demand on June 19. (Photo by Manami Yamada)
Commodities

BHP chief gives Chinese economy thumbs up

Infrastructure drive lifts demand for iron ore and coal amid trade war

22 June 2019
India's Adani has been notified that an Australian state government has given it final clearance to begin construction of the controversial Carmichael coal mine.
Companies

Adani set to begin Australia mine construction after final approval from Queensland

Company aims to ship first coal from the Carmichael mine in two years

13 June 2019
Keith Block, Co-CEO of Salesforce.com, said, "Japan is a special market for us."
Business trends

Salesforce.com seeks incubation in its Japan operation

CRM firm is part of 'second wave' of digital transformation, says Co-CEO

10 June 2019
Australian Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, who has urged the US and China to resolve their trade dispute.
Trade war

Australia urges US and China to resolve trade war

Treasurer Josh Frydneberg says trade differences weighing on global economy

7 June 2019
© Illustration by Michael Tsang 
Startups in Asia

Fintech unicorn rewrites forex rules to snag big bank profits

Australian startup taps machine learning for cross-border payment

7 June 2019
"For Sale" signs dot properties around the Sydney area as housing prices slumped in 2018. (Photo by Fumi Matsumoto)
Economy

Australia goes on the defensive with record-low interest rate

Lower home prices and consumption, along with China risk, threaten growth streak

5 June 2019